Solved Strange events - failed update and installation of several updates.

[tjs999]

Upon shutting down my laptop (Windows 7 SP 1) I was given the message that updates were being configured and to not shut off the computer. I found this strange as I have Windows Update set to have me choose when updates are downloaded and installed. I let it run and at the point where the updates were shown as 35% completed, it just hung there. I let it run for several minutes and it did not change. I shut off the computer using the power button.

I restarted the computer in safe mode and was quickly given a message to the effect update configuration had failed and things would be reverted. It stayed at this message for about 20 minutes and then a message indicating a cleanup was being done appeared. This lasted about 5 minutes or so and then it went to my sign in screen.

A message that I had windows updates available then appeared in the notification pane. There were 3 optional updates available, 2 for MSE which I no longer have on my computer and 1 for IE 11, which I have on my computer.

I uninstalled the IE 11 update on my computer and then tried to install the update. The installation failed twice. I then did a restore and got IE 11 back.

The update history on the Windows Update page shows the 2 failed installations of IE 11, which still appears as an available optional update, on 01/01/2015. However, the view installed updates in the Control Panel shows 44 Windows updates being installed on 01/01/2015.

Can anyone offer an opinion on what happened? I am wondering if the failed update configuration and resulting reversion and cleanup resulted in Windows installing the 44 updates with today’s date. S


Also I don’t understand why updates were downloaded and installed without my permission. I did note when I checked my version of IE there was a box checked allowing the installation of new versions automatically. I unchecked it, but I am wondering if that was the botched update.


Things seem to be running OK, but I haven't tried many things.


Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[tjs999]

I found I also have a problem with Turn Windows Features On and Off. Nothing appears in the box after opening it. From cursory research i found this may be related to the update issue.

I am downloaded the SURT and tried to run it twice. It hung for a long time and had to be closed via task manager. I see from this page that may have been normal.

I apologize for not following the instructions for posting. I wasn't really looking for a solution but some thoughts on what may have happened. Now I believe I have a corruption problem that will likely need to be fixed to allow me to update properly. I ran sfc /scannow and it didn't find any problems.

I am downloading a new SURT file and will run again. Should I start a new thread or post the results in this thread?

 

[tjs999]

I attempted to run the SURT (twice) and received the following error message:

Installer encountered an error:0x80240009

 

[tjs999]

I finally got the SURT to run after downloading another file. I think this whole situation resulted from me running cleanmgr from a command prompt with all options checked. I am assuming this did something with my updates file that caused the computer to want to configure updates. I also noted it deleted all my restore points. In addition, after I ran the cleanmgr there were two restore points created for the installation of the Windows Module Installer.

The log from running the SURT appears to show lots of problems (copy attached). The CBS.zip file is too large to attach.

I would greatly appreciate some help with this. Please advise if this is the wrong forum.

 

[NoelDP]

There's the summary from CheckSUR...

Summary:
Seconds executed: 3184
 Found 91 errors
  CBS MUM Missing Total count: 91

The earliest update in the affected list id from March 2011!! - so you've probably not been getting many updates after you attempted to install that.

You appear to be the impatient sort - who crashes their PC if the install shutdown isn't quick enough. DON'T!! It's a guaranteed cause of many of the problems we see here.
Some updates take time to install - especially .NET ones - and breaking the chain results in a potentially unstable situation which Windows then has to try and fix. Most of the time it does a pretty good job, but the more often it has to do it the more likely it is to fail.

As a result, I think your best option is going to be a repair install to get your system back on an even keel - and stop crashing the install reboots!

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html?ltr=R

 

[tjs999]

Thanks for the response. Yes, you are correct I am impatient at times. I have learned my lesson!

I want to make certain I use the correct option. My laptop is about 5 years old. It came with Windows 7 installed. I installed SP1 when it came out. I do not have a disk. Do I use option 4 or 5?

Do I start a new thread or post in this one if I run into any problems with the Repair Install?

 

[tjs999]

I am going to proceed with the repair install. Thanks for the advice.

 

[NoelDP]

Good luck!

 

[tjs999]

Before I proceed, I tried a few things:

1. I attempted to install an update I had hidden. It downloaded and installed without a problem.

2. I ran the Microsoft Baseline Security Advisor (MBSA). It found I have all required updates, except for a few that I had chosen not to install and had hidden.

3. I ran the Belarc Advisor. In terms of updates, it came up with the same result as the MBSA.

From doing this it appears that I am current on all updates and I am able to use the Windows Update function. How is this possible given the failed update configuration and the level of problems reflected in the SURT report?

 

[NoelDP]

CheckSUR checks more than just the 'installed' status of any given update - it also checks a number of registry entries that are essential for the update to perform as expected both now, and when/if it becomes updated itself.

It's quite possible for an update to appear installed, but to be totally incapable of doing the job it's supposed to do - that's one reason why Windows is so forgiving of many errors, since there is almost always a fall-back position which will do 99% of what's needed. It's only the edge-positions which expose the problem.

You really do need to do the repair install.

 

[tjs999]

Thanks for the explanation. I will proceed with the repair install.

 

[tjs999]

The repair install went well. However, I now have a bunch of updates to install. Do have any advice on how to go about the installation of such a large number of updates? Without looking I think it is about 170 updates totaling about 700 or so MB.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[NoelDP]

My usual advice is to install updates by type rather than by date - with at least one reboot between batches, followed by a Check for Updates.

1) Security Updates for Windows
2) Updates for Windows (and any new ones found from 1)
3) Internet Explorer - ALWAYS update IE8 before allowing the system to install later versions (Hide later ones if necessary to force the IE8 Updates to show) +new ones...
4) Update the latest IE fully, and check everything else is stable, then install the .NET3.5 updates, then .NET4.5.x and its updates.

Then install the optional updates as required.

Always do a new check for updates before picking what to install.

 

[tjs999]

This is great. Just what I was looking for. Thanks for your advice.

I will be patient too...

 

[tjs999]

I did the updates in suggested order using reboots and Windows Updates checks with every reboot. Things were going fine. I was able to update IE 8, then update IE 8 to IE 9. However, the update from IE 9 to IE 10 failed with the following code:

9C59

I retried with the antivirus off - no go. I rebooted and tried again - still failed.

I have a question. There are 21 security updates for .NET3.5.1. I did not install them with the the regular Windows security updates, Should I have done that? I was going to install the .NET 3.5.1 security updates after I had installed the (2) available non-security updates for Microsoft .NETFramework 3.5.1 (KB2836942) and (KB2836943).

I do not use IE as my daily browser. Can I leave IE at version 9, or can I try to go from IE 9 to IE11?

Your advice would be appreciated.

 

[NoelDP]

Security updates come before 'ordinary' updates.
I always leave ALL .NET updates until last, since I regard them as the most likely to cause problems.
IE10/11 require the .NET updates, I think.

I always prefer to have a fully-updated system - it reduces the chances of malware getting in though unpatched security holes.

 

[tjs999]

I want to make sure I am clear on how to proceed. Are you saying that I should proceed with the .NET security updates, the .NET regular updates (and any other .NET updates that may appear) before attempting to update to IE10 and IE11? Thanks.

 

[NoelDP]

Yep - do them in that order.

 

[tjs999]

OK. Thanks for your help.

 

[tjs999]

I got all the .NET updates done. The only important update left is IE 10. I tried to install it through Windows Update and it failed with code 9C59. I tried to install it from the Microsoft website and eventually got a message that the installation could not be completed (no error code).

Any ideas or suggestions? Am I OK with just leaving it at IE 9?